McNamara, who went by “Mac,” was remembered by his colleagues for his flexibility, concise writing and extensive knowledge of regional sports. He had a razor wit that came in bursts like a social media post, one fellow reporter said.

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“At a small paper like that, you have to be versatile,” said former Capital Gazette editor Gerry Jackson, who hired him back all those years ago. “He could write. He could edit. He could design pages. He was just a jack of all trades and a fantastic person.”

Gerald Fischman

The first time Gerald Fischman applied for a job at The Capital, the editor passed him over.

Fischman’s personality was so quiet and withdrawn that it hid the brilliant mind, wry wit and “wicked pen” that his colleagues would treasure.

For more than 25 years, Fischman was the conscience and voice of the Annapolis news organization, writing scathing, insightful and always exacting editorials about the community.

He was the guardian against libel, the arbiter of taste and a peculiar and endearing figure in a newsroom full of characters.

“He had ability that, I thought, deserved a higher calling than The Capital,” longtime editor and publisher Tom Marquardt said.

“He was a great writer. He was a really smart guy, so smart that he tried out for Jeopardy twice,” Marquardt said. “But he couldn’t get accepted because they didn’t like his personality. That was Gerald’s spin, anyway.”

Rob Hiaasen, Capital Gazette Deputy Editor, one of the victims when an active shooter targeted the newsroom this afternoon in Annapolis, Md., photographed recently at an editorial board meeting (Capital Gazette)

Rob Hiaasen

Rob Hiaasen once wrote a description of his ideal job: “I would like to be paid for the occasional amusing remark or for simply showing up promptly to work and bringing in cookies from time to time,” he wrote a colleague. “Alas, there's no market for those outstanding qualities.”

But he was wrong. His wryly observant writing style and his generous mentoring of young journalists assured him of roles in several newsrooms, from The Baltimore Sun to, most recently, the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, where he was one of five staff members shot to death Thursday.

Hiaasen, 59, celebrated his 33rd wedding anniversary last week with Maria Hiaasen, a former journalist who teaches English at Dulaney High School. Thursday was her 58th birthday.

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The couple married after a whirlwind courtship five months after their first date. The Timonium man became known as “Big Rob” during the high school years of their children, Ben, 29, an attorney in Towson; Samantha, 27, an assistant manager of the Barnes & Noble at the Inner Harbor; and Hannah, 26, an artist who works at a furnishings store in New York, Maria Hiaasen said.

“He was a tall man, 6-foot-5, but he was a giant not just in stature but in character,” she said. “He was just the best husband.”

“He loves words, he loves humor,” she said. “He loved journalism, he loved helping those young writers at the Gazette.”

“She was a very thoughtful person,” Padden said. “She was kind and considerate, and willing to help when needed. She seemed to really enjoy to be working in the media business.”

Smith described herself on her Facebook page as an “Endo Warrior” — a survivor of endometriosis — and a “Dog Mom. Softball Fiance. Bonus Mom to the best kid ever.”

Padden said Smith joined the Capital Gazette after working in marketing for a health care organization. She grew up in the Baltimore area and once told Padden she was a “first-class” field hockey player in high school.

Wendi Winters

Wendi Winters spent a dozen years writing her way into the Capital Gazette newsroom.

After a career in fashion and public relations in New York City, the 65-year-old mother of four moved to Maryland 20 years ago and began stringing for the Annapolis news organization. She soon built a reputation as a prolific freelance reporter and well-known community resource.

The Edgewater woman was one of five Capital Gazette staff members killed in the shootings Thursday.

Her daughter Winters Geimer said the family was gathering late Thursday.

“My mother was a wonderful woman and a fantastic reporter,” Geimer said. “Her life was a gift to everyone who knew her and the world will not be the same without her. We are grieving and trying to make sure all of us can be together to celebrate the life of our mother.”

Leslie Hunt, a former Capital Gazette community news editor, said Winters had a talent for connecting with the community and documenting people’s achievements and important local events.